It is now "Green Week" on many stations, specifically the "Today Show" that I have on this morning. One item that they have highlighted and is a huge danger to the Earth is plastic bags. I despise plastic bags. They go no where, forever. There is a bag stuck high in a tree in my back yard, and it has been there at least a year, and unless it shakes loose, I will have to look at it for the rest of my life. (I know, a little dramatic.)
I always have a compact reusable bag in my pocket book. And will not take a plastic bag from a store for only a few items. I also have these wonderful reusable bags for my food shopping. I can fit in my 4 bags as much stuff that I would have used at least 10 plastic bags...and that's IF the bagger didn't double bag them.
I know, I could use paper only, but paper bags don't have the handles that my reusable bags have, and how many trees had to be destroyed to make those bags? Many bags on the reusablebags.com are made of recycled materials or bamboo or hemp or organic cotton. This site is also a fountain of information with statistics of how bad plasic bags really are. I hope you use this site and buy a few bags for yourself. If I can get only one of you to use reusable bags, and NEVER a plastic bag, I will be happy! :)
Other countries have started to place bans on plastic bags, or will charge you extra for using a plastic bag. What is America so far behind this trend?
I am far from 100% 'green.' I try to do little things to contribute. I recycle everything I can (paper, cardboard, glass, plastic, cans and even metal and electronics.) We grow some of our own food in the summer. I grow tomatoes and cucumbers and this year I am going to try a few new ones. I don't usually buy organic, but I try to buy as local as I can. I am even thinking of trying cloth diapers. A couple friends of mine do it, one full time, and she loves it. The other does it only at home and she likes it too. But, I hate laundry, so I am hoping my laziness doesn't outweigh the good.
This Friday is Arbor Day. - Go plant a tree - There is an event that a friend of mine has organized and we will be planting trees at a school that need some new shade trees. The Kid is very excited about it. He loves Bob the Builder and chants "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" all the time. My son gets very excited when I recycle things and very he's funny when someone tries to give us plastic bags. He tells them we don't use plastic bags. I get some very odd looks sometimes, but I don't care.
In the new construction we are doing on the 2nd floor of my grandparents house we are going to be putting in that foam insulation to cut down on A/C energy and oil energy for our heat. We also put new windows in to save energy.
What do you do to help Save the Earth? Every little bit helps. :)
